In a goodbye letter to the city posted on his website Sunday, the free-agent forward thanked fans for years of loyalty. Bosh was waived by the Heat on Tuesday.

"Wow, what a ride! I've been reflecting on my time in this great city and want to thank you for being a constant during a period of change in my life," Bosh wrote. "I've experienced a few finals appearances, a couple of championships, several weddings (including my own), the birth of four kids, bonding with an entire community and a ton of ups and downs along the way.

"It was scary leaving Toronto, a place where people really loved and supported me, and I wasn't sure if that great feeling would follow me. When I arrived in Miami, I was just hoping for glory and mention amongst the immortals of basketball. What I got was so much more."

Bosh, 33, played in just 44 games during the 2014-15 season and only 53 games in the 2015-16 season because of blood clots in his lungs. He was not cleared to play last season, and his career is unlikely to resume after last playing in February 2016. Nonetheless, Bosh's legacy will live on in the rafters at American Airlines Arena after Heat president Pat Riley announced, "the number '1' will never be worn by another player."